Welcome to the Animal Services Division Website!
Animal Ordinances and Commercial Kennel Minimum Standards
Tulare County Animal Services Division will be submitting to the Board of Supervisors, for consideration, proposed revisions to the County’s Animal Ordinances and new Commercial Kennel Minimum Standards. The below links will take you to the corresponding documents. We will be accepting comments and/or recommendations from the community beginning August 9, 2018 through September 28, 2018. You may submit your comments and/or recommendations, via email, at animalcontrolsupport@tularehhsa.org.
Click here to download the proposed revisions to the County's Animal Ordinances.
Click here to download the proposed Commercial Kennel Minimum Standards.
Emergency Preparedness for Your Pet
Pet Preparedness for Emergencies
Have a current list of you pets and/or animals at all times. You may obtain a rescue alert sticker (available at your local pet supply store) that lists the number and species of animals residing in your home, or on your property. If you evacuate with your animals during an emergency, and time allows, write “Evacuated” across the alert sticker and place in your front window, or on your door.
Make sure your pets are microchipped and have proper identification. This is the single most important step you can take to ensure that you and your companion animals will be reunited if you are separated. Don’t forget to include alternate contacts with the microchip registration, such as your cell phone number and phone numbers for an out-of-area relative so that you can still be contacted in the case of an evacuation.
My Pet’s basic disaster kit should include:
- Food and water for at least five days for each pet, bowls and a manual can opener if you are packing canned pet food. A gallon of water on hand to use if your pet has been exposed to chemicals or flood waters and needs to be rinsed.
- Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first-aid kit. A pet first-aid book is also a good idea.
- Cat litter box, litter, litter scoop and garbage bags to collect all your pets' waste.
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can't escape. Make sure that your cat or dog is wearing a collar and identification that is up to date and visible at all times. Carriers should be large enough to allow your pet to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. (Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time.) Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller pets—who may also need blankets or towels for bedding and warmth as well as special items, depending on their species.
- Current photos of you with your pets and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated—and to prove that they are yours once you're reunited.
- Written information about your pets' feeding schedules, medical conditions and behavior issues along with the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.
Guidelines for Animal Owners During a Natural Disaster
The best way to ensure the safety of your pets is to EVACUATE THEM at the same time you evacuate. It is simply too dangerous to leave companion animals unattended during natural disasters.
Horse and Large Animal Preparedness for Emergencies:
- Make sure your horse is identifiable with a bracelet and/or microchip in the event your horse runs off or becomes separated during a disaster; increasing your odds of being reunited. An ID bracelet can be purchased online or you can make your own with your contact information and place the bracelet around the horse’s back hoof. A microchip can be scanned and easily locate you through a database.
- Plan for an evacuation. Train your horse to load into a trailer.
- Have a surplus of feed available and a surplus of water available.
- Keep a leather halter near the corral that’s easy to find for emergency responders in case you are not able to evacuate your horses yourself; nylon halters can cause serious burns.
- Never turn your horse or livestock loose during a wildfire as they could be dangerous to you, emergency personnel or other evacuees. If you have to evacuate without your animals, keep them in a safe fenced paddock until the threat passes or emergency help arrives.
Large Animal Evacuation
In the event evacuations are ordered during an emergency, Tulare County Animal Services will work in partnership with the Tulare County Emergency Operations Center, evacuation sites for equines and other large animals will be established. Various locations may be used, depending on the location of the emergency and the area to be evacuated. Information will be made available on locations and points of contact via news outlets, social media and press releases. You may also call Tulare County Animal Services at (559) 636-4050.
